6 'There is good fortune through his devotedly maintaining his restfulness:'--to the end he shows himself generous and good.

LIII. (The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for a tree form Kien. The superior man, in accordance with this, attains to and maintains his extraordinary virtue, and makes the manners of the people good.

1 'The danger of a small officer (as represented in the first line)' is owing to no fault of his in the matter of what is right.

2 'They eat and drink joyfully and at ease:'--but not without having earned their food.

3 'A husband goes and does not return:'--he separates himself from his comrades.

'A wife is pregnant, but will not nourish her child:'--she has failed in her (proper) course.

'It might be advantageous in resisting plunderers:'--by acting as here indicated men would preserve one another.

4 'They may light on the flat branches:'--there is docility (in the line) going on to flexible penetration.

5 'In the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune:'--(the subject of the line) will get what he desires.

6 'Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune:'--(the object and character of the subject of the line) cannot be disturbed.

LIV. (The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and over it that for thunder form Kwei Mei. The superior man, in accordance with this, having regard to the far-distant end, knows the mischief (that may be done at the beginning).

1 'The younger sister is married off in a position ancillary to that of the real wife:'--it is the constant practice (for such a case).

'Lame on one leg, she is able to tramp along:'--she can render helpful service.

2 'There will be advantage in maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow:'--(the subject of the line) has not changed from the constancy (proper to a wife).

3 'The younger sister who was to be married off is in a mean position:'--this is shown by the improprieties (indicated in the line).

4 (The purpose in) 'protracting the time' is that, after waiting, the thing may be done (all the better).

5 'The sleeves of the younger sister of (king) Ti-yi, when she was married away, were not equal to those of her (half-) sister, who accompanied her;'--such was her noble character, indicated by the central position of the line.

6 '(What is said in) the sixth line, divided, about there being nothing in the basket' shows that the subject of it is carrying an empty basket.

LV. (The trigrams representing) thunder and lightning combine to form Fang. The superior man, in accordance with this, decides cases of litigation, and apportions punishments with exactness.

1 'Though they are both of the same character, there will be no error:'--if the subject of this line seek to overpass that similarity, there will be calamity.

2 'Let him cherish his feeling of sincere devotion, that it shall appear being put forth:'--it is by sincerity that the mind is affected.

3 'There is an (additional) screen of a large and thick banner:'--great things should not be attempted (in such circumstances).

'He breaks his right arm:'--in the end he will not be fit to be employed.

4 'He is surrounded by a screen large and thick:'--the position of the line is inappropriate.

'At midday he sees the constellation of the Bushel:'--there is darkness and no light.

'He meets with the subject of the line, undivided like himself. There will be good fortune:'--action may be taken.

5 'The good fortune indicated by the fifth line, divided,' is the congratulation (that is sure to arise).

6 'He has made his house large:'--he soars (in his pride) to the heavens.

'He looks at his door, which is still, with no one about it:'--he (only) keeps himself withdrawn from all others.

LVI. (The trigram representing) a mountain and above it that for fire form Li. The superior man, in accordance with this, exerts his wisdom and caution in the use of punishments and not allowing litigations to continue.

1 'The stranger is mean and meanly occupied:'--his aim is become of the lowest character, and calamity will ensue.

2 'He is provided with good and trusty servants:'--he will in the end have nothing of which to complain.

3 'The stranger burns his lodging-house:'--and he himself also suffers hurt thereby. When, as a stranger, he treats those below him (as the line indicates), the right relation between him and them is lost.

4 'The stranger is in a resting-place:'--but he has not got his proper position.

'He has the means of livelihood, and the axe:'--but his mind is not at ease.

5 'In the end he will obtain praise and a (high) charge:'--he has reached a high place.

6 'Considering that the stranger is here at the very height (of distinction),' with the spirit that possesses him, it is right he (should be emblemed by a bird) burning (its nest).

'He loses his ox(-like docility) too readily and easily:'--to the end he would not listen to (the truth about the course to be pursued).

LVII. (Two trigrams representing) wind, following each other, form Sun. The superior man, in accordance with this, reiterates his orders, and secures the practice of his affairs.

1 '(Now) he advances, (now) he recedes:'--his mind is perplexed.

'It would be advantageous for him to have the firmness of a brave soldier:'--his mind would in that case be well governed.

2 'The good fortune springing from what borders on confusion' is due to the position (of the line) in the centre.

3 'The regret arising from the violent and repeated efforts to penetrate' shows the exhaustion of the will.

4 'He takes game in his hunting, enough for the threefold use of it:'--he achieves merit.

5 'The good fortune of (the subject of) the fifth line, undivided,' is owing to its correct position and its being in the centre.

6 'The representative of penetration is beneath a couch:'--though occupying the topmost place, his powers are exhausted.

'He has lost the axe with which he executed his decisions:'--though he try to be correct, there will be evil.

LVIII. (Two symbols representing) the waters of a marsh, one over the other, form Tui. The superior man, in accordance with this, (encourages) the conversation of friends and (the stimulus of) their (common) practice.

1 'The good fortune attached to the pleasure of (inward) harmony' arises from there being nothing in the conduct (of the subject of the line) to awaken doubt.

2 'The good fortune attached to the pleasure arising from (inward sincerity)' is due to the confidence felt in the object (of the subject of the line).

3 'The evil predicated of one's bringing around himself whatever can give pleasure' is shown by the inappropriateness of the place (of the line).

4 'The joy in connexion with (the subject of) the fourth line, undivided,' is due to the happiness (which he will produce).

5 'He trusts in one who would injure him:'--his place is that which is correct and appropriate.

6 'The topmost line, divided, shows the pleasure (of its subject) in leading and attracting others:'--his (virtue) is not yet brilliant.

LIX. (The trigram representing) water and that for wind moving above the water form Hwan. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, presented offerings to God and established the house of worship.

1 'The good fortune attached to the first line, divided,' is due to the natural course (pursued by its subject).

2 'Amidst the prevailing dispersion, he hurries to his contrivance (for security):'--he gets what he desires.

3 'He has no regard to his own person:'--his aim is directed to what is external to himself.

4 'He scatters the (different) parties (in the state), and there is great good fortune:'--brilliant and great (are his virtue and service).

5 'The accumulations of the royal (granaries) are dispersed, and there is no error:'--this is due to the correctness of the position.

6 'His bloody wounds are gone:'--he is far removed from the danger of injury.

LX. (The trigram representing) a lake, and above it that for water, form Kieh. The superior man, in accordance with this, constructs his (methods of) numbering and measurement, and discusses (points of) virtue and conduct.

1 'He does not quit the courtyard outside his door:'--he knows when he has free course and when he is obstructed.

2 'He does not quit the courtyard inside his gate. There will be evil:'--he loses the time (for action) to an extreme degree.

3 In 'the lamentation for not observing the (proper) regulations,' who should there be to blame?

4 'The progress and success of the quiet and natural (attention) to all regulations' is due to the deference which accepts the ways of (the ruler) above.

5 'The good fortune arising from the regulations enacted sweetly and acceptably' is due to (the line) occupying the place (of authority) and being in the centre.

6 'The regulations are severe and difficult. Even with firm correctness there will be evil:'--the course (indicated by the hexagram) is come to an end.

LXI. (The trigram representing the waters of) a marsh and that for wind above it form Kung Fu. The superior man, in accordance with this, deliberates about cases of litigation and delays (the infliction of) death.

1 'The first line, undivided, shows its subject resting (in himself). There will be good fortune:'--no change has yet come over his purpose.

2 'Her young ones respond to her:'--from the (common) wish of the inmost heart.

3 'Now he beats his drum, and now he leaves off:'--the position (of the line) is the appropriate one for it.

4 'A horse the fellow of which disappears:'--he breaks from his (former) companions, and mounts upwards.

5 'He is perfectly sincere, and links others to him in closest union:'--the place (of the line) is the correct and appropriate one.

6 'Chanticleer (tries to) mount to heaven:'--but how can (such an effort) continue long?

LXII. (The trigram representing) a hill and that for thunder above it form Hsiao Kwo. The superior man, in accordance with this, in his conduct exceeds in humility, in mourning exceeds in sorrow, and in his expenditure exceeds in economy.

1 'There is a bird flying (and ascending) till the result is evil:'--nothing can be done to avoid this issue.

2 'He does not attempt to reach his ruler:'--a minister should not overpass the distance (between his ruler and himself).

3 'Some in consequence find opportunity to assail and injure him. There will be evil:'--how great will it be!

4 'He meets the exigency (of his situation), without exceeding (the proper course):'--(he does so), the position being inappropriate (for a strong line).

'If he go forward, there will be peril, and he must be cautious:'--the result would be that his course would not be long pursued.

5 'There are dense clouds, but no rain:'--(the line) is in too high a place.

6 'He does not meet the exigency (of his situation), and exceeds (his proper course):'--(the position indicates) the habit of domineering.

LXIII. (The trigram representing) fire and that for water above it form Ki Zi. The superior man, in accordance with this, thinks of evil (that may come), and beforehand guards against it.

1 'He drags back his wheel:'--as we rightly judge, there will be no mistake.

2 'In seven days she will find it:'--for the course pursued is that indicated by the central position (of the line).

3 'He was three years in subduing it:'--enough to make him weary.

4 'He is on his guard all the day:'--he is in doubt about something.

5 'The slaughtering of an ox by the neighbour in the east is not equal to (the small sacrifice of) the neighbour in the west:'--because the time (in the latter case is more important and fit).

'His sincerity receives the blessing:'--good fortune comes on a great scale.

6 'His head is immersed; the position is perilous:'--how could such a state continue long?

LXIV. (The trigram representing) water and that for fire above it form Wei Zi. The superior man, in accordance with this, carefully discriminates among (the qualities of) things, and the (different) positions they (naturally) occupy.

1 'His tail gets immersed:'--this is the very height of ignorance.

2 'The second line, undivided, shows good fortune arising from being firm and correct:'--it is in the central place, and the action of its subject thereby becomes correct.

3 '(The state of things is) not yet remedied. Advancing will lead to evil:'--the place (of the line) is not that appropriate for it.

4 'By firm correctness there is good fortune, and cause for repentance disappears:'--the aim (of the subject of the line) is carried into effect.

5 '(We see) the brightness of a superior man:'--the diffusion of that brightness tends to good fortune.

6 'He drinks and gets his head immersed:'--he does not know how to submit to the (proper) regulations.